We discuss the notion of matrix model, π:C(X)→MK(C(T)), for algebraic
submanifolds of the free complex sphere, X⊂SC,+N−1. When
K∈N is fixed there is a universal such model, which factorizes as
π:C(X)→C(X(K))⊂MK(C(T)). We have X(1)=Xclass and,
under a mild assumption, inclusions X(1)⊂X(2)⊂X(3)⊂…⊂X. Our main results concern
X(2),X(3),X(4),…, their relation with various half-classical
versions of X, and lead to the construction of families of higher
half-liberations of the complex spheres and of the unitary groups, all having
faithful matrix models.Comment: 25 pages. Final versio